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The Dole Plantation is a tourist attraction on the island of Oahu. We stopped here long enough to get our free sample of Dole Whip (soft-serve pineapple ice cream) and get a little background on the pineapple industry in Hawaii.
Originally a fruit stand in the 1950s, the Dole Plantation became a full-fledged tourist attraction in 1989, complete with a train ride, maze and tour. We didn’t do any of the more touristy things, so I can’t speak to their value.
The Dole family was involved in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and Sanford Dole was the US territory’s first governor until 1903. Sanford’s cousin James Dole founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company in 1901. When the US annexed Hawaii, selling produce to the mainland became more profitable…no tariffs.
Pineapples are easily propagated by planting the crowns of other pineapples. From walking the garden, we learned that there are multiple varieties.
If you stop here, visit early as this is an extremely popular and crowded place. And, as our tour guide warned us, do not buy the pearls!
Oahu Posts:
- Kahanamoku Beach
- Fort DeRussy Beach Park
- Green World Coffee Farm
- The Dole Plantation
- Anahulu River (coming soon)
- Waimea Falls (coming soon)
- Hau’ula Beach Park (coming soon)
- Tropical Macadamia Farm (coming soon)
- Byodo-In Temple (coming soon)
- Polynesian Cultural Center (coming soon)
- Aloha Tower (coming soon)
- Diamond Head (coming soon)
- Iolani Palace (coming soon)
- King Kamehameha Statue (coming soon)
- Aliʻiōlani Hale (coming soon)
- Pearl Harbor (coming soon)
Location: 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786
Designation: Former pineapple fields of James Dole
Date established/designated: circa 1950
Date of my visit: April 11, 2019
That is a blast from the past. We were last there in 2002 with our sons, who did do the maze and gave us about 50 minutes of peace. Our oldest is just starting to like pineapple flavour again some 32 years after we overdosed him with pineapple flavour as a baby when we visited the old Dole cannery in 1988. Time flies. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Ah memories…and Hawaii is such a great place to make those family memories that last a lifetime!
It sound interesting. A long time back, we found pineapples offered by the side of the road. We recommend buying a heavy sharp knife that you don’t mind leaving behind when you return home and a pineapple that is COMPLETELY yellow. When they are that ripe – never found in stores – they are the sweetest treat around, especially at an impromptu beach picnic.
Yes, nothing like that fresh Hawaii pineapple…just not the same by the time it gets to us in NJ
Loved the roadside stand in 1959. About 12 years ago returned to the new plantation. Spent an enjoyable afternoon there and love the fresh pineapple. Thanks for the reminder.
The pineapple there is so yummy! 🙂
Did they mention moving all of their pineapple production out of Hawaii to places where they could get cheaper labor? Last year I was in Lenai which at one time was owned by the Dole family. There is nary a pineapple in sight now.
On all the islands they talked about the sugar industry moving to South America and other cheaper places…my first visit in the 80s, we toured one and got to taste raw sugar cane. This trip the sugar plantations were all gone. Still pineapple fields on Oahu and Maui, but maybe it’s for local consumption now and not exported.
Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine.
Thank you for sharing interesting information and great photos!!!
Glad you enjoyed my post!
This makes me hungry for a fresh, ripe pineapple. 🍍
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